Kia e-Niro on track for Australia: 2018 Paris Motor Show

By Ryan Lewis, 02 Oct 2018Paris Motor Show

Electric crossover set to meet Aussie roads in 2019, boasting more than 600km of urban range

KIA Australia is taking its first steps toward a zero emissions future with the e-Niro electric SUV shaping up for a local launch in late 2019.

Making its European debut at the Paris motor show today, the e-Niro crossover moves Kia’s EV game on in a big way, with a WLTP combined range of 485km, and up to 615km of urban mileage possible from a single charge of its 64kWh long-range battery, according to Kia.

“It’s going to be more expensive. There’s not an EV on the road that isn’t. But the difference is [e-Niro] will have probably the best range of any EV – certainly SUV type vehicle – in Australia.

“It won’t be disproportionately expensive, it has to be affordable.”

Other key features of the e-Niro include independent rear suspension, advanced regenerative braking technology, battery heating for cold climates, LED lighting inside and out, luxury interior appointments including a heated steering wheel, and a 451-litre cargo area.

Extensive digital displays are part of the e-Niro’s distinctive interior treatment, packaged within a futuristic design highlighted by bright blue trim.

The e-Niro is Kia’s all-electric follow-up to the Soul EV, which was launched in 2014 but “never considered” for Oz due to the Soul’s relative lack of popularity Down Under.

Electrification has been a long time coming for Kia Australia, with COO Damien Meredith choosing to skip half measures and wait for an appropriate fully electric product to become available.

“Damien made a conscious decision that we weren’t going to get engaged in hybrids and go straight to EVs when the right one came along,” said Hepworth. “And that was a pure brand image marketing decision.”

“We’ll end up with more than one EV, but we’ll see how the first one goes.”